Hey Reno Frank
This is a great opportunity to do a fall like hike in January. Keep your eye on the forecast but currently this is a mostly snow free hike. There are a few patches of tromped down snow that are now ice so hiking poles would be a good idea. Normally this is a pretty crowded trail and if you do it on a weekend you will still have lots of company. I recommend the Tallac trailhead off of hwy 89 at this time of year. In the summer I like the Glen Alpine trailhead for the ridiculous wildflower displays but remember it really is winter. The Tallac trailhead is signed off of highway 89 and is just north of the now closed visitor center. Trail is in great shape and easy to follow. It's over a 3000 foot elevation gain and bout 10 miles round trip so start early and bring water, most water sources are frozen now. You'll pass 2 small lakes along the way which will be fun to play on the ice. After Cathedral the real climbing begins until you gain a ridge and then it's an easy trail to the top with an easy rock scramble the last quarter mile. Spectacular views from the top - Tahoe to the east and a peek into the middle of Desolation wilderness and Crystal range to the west. If you are into geology the trail is really interesting. The 1st part of the trail is on a lateral moraine from the glacier that formed the valley now filled in by Fallen leaf lake. From the summit you will see 2 other similar glacial valleys-Emerald Bay and the one with Cascade Lake now in it. Have fun!
